College Unit

Public vs. Private
Public colleges are those that are largely supported by state funds. If you attend a public institution in your own state, you will get a break on tuitions costs, and–as a state resident–it’s usually easier for you be admitted, as well. However, if you attend a public college in ANOTHER state, you will probably not get those benefits (though some state institutions do have reciprocal agreements with other nearby states.)

Private colleges, on the other hand, are supported by tuition, endowment, and donations from alumni and friends. Usually they are more expensive than public colleges, but it does depend on the particular school. Also, private colleges often offer the best financial aid (see below). While attending a private school is reputed to translate into less red tape and more personal attention than you’ll find at the public counterparts, it’s important to look carefully at each individual college and to separate rumor from reality.

When do you apply to college?
The college admissions process can seem a bit overwhelming at first. In fact, many students are so intimidated by the process when they first begin that they put off working on their applications. This can be a very dangerous habit, as it can cause students to fall so far behind that they miss important application deadlines.
The college and university application process does not have to be an unpleasant one. With proper planning and some diligence, it can be an exciting and productive time. To get the most out the experience, try to turn the process into an excuse to do some real thinking about your future. Not only will you find the right college or university for you, but you'll also be able to formulate a long-term plan and set goals for the years ahead.
The most important thing you can do to streamline the application process is to start early. The earlier you begin researching potential college and university programs, the easier it will be for you to complete your applications on time. In the Spring before you apply, you should answer some basic questions about your preferences so that you can start to narrow down your search. Do you want to be a part of a small, medium or large student body? Are you going to be living on campus or commuting from home? Would you prefer an urban or more rural setting? What would you like to study, and which schools have the strongest programs? How much can you afford to pay in tuition, and will you need financial aid? Once you can answer these questions and other that you can think of, you can start to narrow down the colleges and universities that fit your ideal profile. Use college guidebooks from your local library or bookstore, and check out each school's website online.

ACT/SAT
You might wonder why you have to choose between the SAT and the ACT--maybe one of the two is favored by the students in your school. Ten or 20 years ago, choosing which test to take wasn't even an issue. Until recently, the ACT was traditionally required by colleges in the midwest, and the SAT was the test of choice in the northeast and on the east and west coasts. But now an increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of schools in the United States now accept both SAT and ACT test results.

While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfill the same role in the admissions process. The Power of Prediction

How This Affects YouThis increased acceptance of the ACT gives today's savvy students a strategic advantage. The SAT and ACT are significantly different tests, and in many ways, they measure different skills. So depending on your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other. As a result, many students embarking on the admissions process are now considering both the SAT and ACT--to figure out which test provides a better showcase for their abilities. What's the Difference?Admissions officers and educators often describe the difference between SAT and ACT in these terms: the ACT is a content-based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving. This perception is one reason many educators (off the record) express a preference for the ACT--because they believe that the ACT is closer to testing the "core curriculum" taught in most school classrooms. In fact, this contrast isn't exactly watertight. Many questions on the ACT test critical thinking, and there is a predictable range of material that's tested on the SAT. But the SAT and ACT reward different attributes, so performing well on each test can boil down to what kind of test taker you are.
Here are some of the factors that make the SAT and ACT very different breeds:

• The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
• The ACT math section includes trigonometry.
• The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
• The SAT is not entirely multiple choice.
• The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
• The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not.

Remember, both the SAT and ACT are important parts of your application, but they're only one of several factors--from your courses and grades to recommendations and your personal statement--that colleges consider.